50th Anniversary of United Church
Women 20I2
Worship
Resources
by Phyllis
Buchner
Call to Worship
One: As United Church Women we are each unique
All: We
are sisters yet we are distinct from one another
One: As United Church Women we are diverse
All: We
bring our assorted approaches and attitudes
One: As United Church Women we bring many gifts
and talents
All: Let
us embrace and nurture these gifts and talents
One: Let us come together and give thanks
to our
Weaver God for all that we are
All: Come
let us worship together.
Prayer of Approach and Confession
Creator
God, we come before you today worn thin and frayed.
Just
as the seams of fabric sometimes grow weak and fragile,
so the
seams of our lives become stretched and worn.
At
times we are so inward looking that we fail to see the needs of others around
us.
Help
us to recognize the unraveling of others lives.
Help
us to respond to the brokenness in this world.
All
this we ask in Jesus name. Amen.
OR
Everlasting
One, You hold us in the palm of your hand.
You
know us through and through and yet – you continue to shower us
with
abundant blessings. In times of chaos
and turmoil we turn to you for support and comfort. Now in this time of quiet worship we come to
you
to say
thank you - for sisters in Christ who sustain and nurture us
through
the_____________________United Church Women.
Perhaps
we are not always as you would have us and perhaps we do not always do as we
should. For all these things we ask
forgiveness.
Your
path is not always easy. Stay with us on
our journey.
In
Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Opening Prayer:
Weaver God, you spin filament thin
yet strong. You weave a tapestry of love,
joy, hope, and promise.
As we pause, may we become aware of
your loving presence among us.
As we prepare our hearts and minds, may
we pray, sing, and worship as one. Amen.
Prayer before scripture
Holy and Loving One, We ask be with
us as we prepare our hearts
to be open
to your Word. Amen.
Reflection
“Threads of Life”
On
our life’s journey, we encounter many situations - many people – many
opportunities and prospects. Each of
these cause us to grow and change and develop. Life is not always rosy red or dazzling as the
sunshine. In every life some darkness
falls to highlight the brightness and energy of existence. Imagine if you will – life as a
tapestry. Each thread builds on
another. Each thread adds to the total
dimension of the whole. Each thread
highlights the others – adding strength, brilliance and stability. The fragile-thin
metallic threads add colour and sheen.
The fine silken threads add softness and suppleness. The knotty textured
threads add strength and character. The
thick threads add consistency and firmness.
The springy threads are the energizers, moving and playing within the
fabric.
At
this moment, which are you?
Are
you the fragile thread which needs assistance and support from neighbors and
family and friends?
Are
you the lovely silk or linen – washed and worn and now a beautiful soft
thread?
Are
you the strong fibre – ready to take on the world and all the headaches and
heartaches it can throw at you?
Perhaps
you are the knotty textured thread…or, the carefree, lighthearted, happy-go-lucky
thread, ready to become whatever the future holds for you.
Or
are you the energized one, eager and animated, ready for change and
opportunities?
We
are diverse and we are unique. Each in
our own way live out our tapestry of life and contribute to the tapestry of
many others, simply by being one with each other and one with God. We are thankful for all the women who have
gone before us. We tie into their
threads and continue on.
May
God bless the journey we are all on.